It’s likely that you are familiar with cremation and traditional burial, but the concept of aquamation may be new to you. The technology has been around for more than a century, but it has only recently come into use as a method of disposition here in recent years. Before you seek out aquamation services near Wilmington, NC, you might want to learn a little bit more about how the process works.

Key Takeaways:

• Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a process in which a person’s bodily remains are submerged in an alkaline solution and gently heated.
• The process is similar to the natural degradation process right after burial but is quicker.
• After the aquamation process is completed, the family receives their loved one’s remains in the form of bone ashes.
• Aquamation is more eco-friendly than traditional burial and cremation because it takes up less land space, uses less energy, and produces no harmful greenhouse gasses.

Aquamation, more scientifically known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a fairly simple process. Essentially, a person’s bodily remains are submerged in an alkaline solution, which is gently heated and circulated. It is essentially a quickened version of the natural process of degradation that would take place after burial. After the process is complete, the family receives their loved one’s remains in the form of bone ashes. The ashes are similar to cremated remains, but they appear lighter in color and more uniform. Additionally, a larger amount of ashes is returned compared to cremation.

One of the biggest benefits of aquamation is how much more eco-friendly it is. Traditional burial takes up excessive land space and uses harmful chemicals, like formaldehyde, that eventually leech into the soil. Cremation releases harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which contribute to the warming of the atmosphere. It also uses nearly seven times the amount of energy that aquamation requires. The only byproducts of aquamation are naturally occurring substances like proteins, salts, and sugars. These are safely released back into the water system after the process is complete. Any mercury-based dental amalgums are safely removed and properly disposed of. In a world where we are becoming more aware of how our choices affect our planet, choosing aquamation is a responsible thing to do.

When it comes to the process of aquamation, that essentially sums it up. After it’s complete you will receive your loved one’s remains back in a temporary urn, similar to after cremation. Then, you can either choose to store them in a more permanent urn, have them interred at a cemetery or columbarium, or you can scatter them in a special place. There are also many other unique forms of memorialization using ashes that you can find as well. Many people who choose aquamation for their loved one will plan to have a memorial service in their honor at a later date. This way, family and friends can still come and offer their condolences while remembering the life of the person they loved.

As you can see, aquamation is a gentle process that has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly. You can’t find it offered everywhere yet, but you can find aquamation services near Wilmington, NC. The providers there would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the process, from beginning to end. If your loved one has passed on and you’re looking for a means of disposition that is eco-friendly, gentle, and respectful, consider aquamation. You can also pre-plan for your own final arrangements with your provider of aquamation services. Then, you can take comfort in the fact that you’ve chosen a process which has minimal impact on the planet while treating the body gently and in a natural way.